This is The First US State to Ban Tik-Tok

Montana is The First US State to Ban Tik-Tok. Learn Why

TikTok has been banned in Montana, marking the first state-level ban of the controversial social video app in the US.

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Montana's governor, Greg Gianforte, stated that the ban aims to protect personal and private data from being harvested by the Chinese Communist Party.

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The ban extends to consumer users, following a federal move to prevent government employees from using the app on their work phones.

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The bill targets app stores like Google and Apple, prohibiting them from hosting TikTok.

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Enforcing the ban may face legal challenges rather than technical difficulties, as the app already collects enough information to identify users' state of residence.

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TikTok could face fines if it continues operating in Montana after the ban takes effect.

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TikTok's spokesperson reassured Montanans that they can still use the app, expressing their commitment to defending user rights.

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Apple and Google did not respond to requests for comment on the ban.

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Evading geographic bans on the open web is possible through VPN services or alternative methods of account creation.

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India previously banned TikTok in 2020, and China has its own version called Douyin with stricter moderation.

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